Art of feeding and orienting sewing hole buttons and machine therefor



Dec. 8, 1953 Filed June 7, 1950 W. A. TROLL ART OF FEEDING AND ORIENTING SEWING HOLE BUTTONS'AND MACHINE THEREFOR 6 Sheets-Sheet l E INVENTOR William 19. 11-011 ATTORNEY Dec. 8, 1953 w. A. TROLL 2,661,709

ART OF FEEDING AND ORIENTING SEWING HOLE BUTTONS AND MACHINE THEREFOR 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 7, 1950 INVENTOR William ATmZZ I Q jQAMb? V ATTORNEY Dec. 8. 1953 w. A. TROLL 2,661,709

ART OF FEEDING AND ORIENTING SEWING HOLE BUTTONS AND MACHINE THEREFOR Filed June 7, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 64 INVENTOR 7 Wiliam J1. TroZL ATTORNEY Dec. 8, 1953 Filed June 7, 1950 W. A. TROLL ART OF FEEDING AND ORIENTING SEWING HOLE BUTTONS AND MACHINE THEREFOR 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 h INVENTOR Wzllzam H.1 1 all Jig ATTORNEY Dec. 8, 1953 w. A. TROLL 2,661,709

ART OF FEEDING AND ORIENTING smwmc HOLE BUTTONS AND MACHINE THEREFOR s SheetsSheet 5 Filed June 7, 1950 i INVENTOR William H. Z'oZZ ATTORNEY W. A. TROLL ART OF FEEDING AND ORIENTING SEWING HOLE BUTTONS AND. MACHINE THEREFOR Filed June 7, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR m'zzmm A. Troll ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 8, 1953 ART OF FEEDING AND ORIENTING SEW- IN G HOLE BUTTONS AND MACHINE THEREFOR William A. Troll, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to Emsig Manufacturin N. Y., a partnership g Company, New York,

Application June 7, 1950, Serial No. 166,754

30 Claims. 1

This invention relates to button sewing machine attachments and more particularly to a button feed guide for a button sewing machine, to automatically feed buttons to the button sewing machine.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my application, Serial No. 52,682, October 4, 1948, now abandoned.

It is an object of my invention to associate with a button sewing machine, a button feed for sewing-hole buttons whereby buttons are fed from bulk supply, such as a hopper, along a chute to the presser foot of a button sewing machine, and in the course of the feed to the presser foot, the buttons are oriented accurately to position the sewing holes with regard to the path of the needle as the button holding clamp moves relatively to the needle.

More specifically it is contemplated by my invention to provide a fully automatic feed of buttons from a bulk supply, such as a hopper, to the work holding clamp of a button sewing machine whereby the presser foot manipulation of the work holding clamp to apply the work in position for sewing, followed by the opening of the work holding clamp after sewing, will serve to perform a cycle comprising ejecting a button, feeding and orienting the button and positioning the button in the oriented position adjacent the needle.

More specifically it is an object of my invention to provide a fully automatic feed for a button sewing machine including treadle control of the work clamp which will assure full cycle operation to require minimum attention by the operator and prevent failure of proper operation which may impair the rapid execution of the but- :ton sewing steps.

To attain these objects and such further objects as may appear herein, or be hereinafter pointed out, I make reference to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation showing my installation Figure 1A is a wiring diagram for the electrical connection;

Figure 2 is a magnified fragmentary view of the clamp actuating mechanism;

Figure 3 is a section on line 3--3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the button feeding mechanism in clamping position; a

Figure 6 is a similar view with the feeding mechanism raised e j ct on of the sewn button;

Figure 7 is a view taken on the line 1--'l of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a view taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 5;

Figure 9 is a view taken on the line 99 of Figure 5;

Figure 10 is a view taken on the line Ill-l0 of Figure 13;

Figure 11 is'aview taken on the line Ii-ll of Figure 13;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary side view in magnified formin the position of the clamp and feed similarly placed to Figure 1; I

Figure 13 is a section on the line l3l3 of Figure 9; I

Figure 14 is'a view taken on the line -14 of Figure 13;

Figure 15 is a perspective view of'another embodiment of my invention;

Figure 16 is a section taken on the line |6I6 of Figure 14; j

Figure 17 is a fragmentary section taken on the line |'!-I1 of Figure 12.

In accordance with my invention, the force and movement of the lifting bar serves to actuate the work holding clamp and button feed mechanism to eject a sewn button and to orient and feed the buttons in the chute or guide from an indiscriminately arranged position to a position where the sewing holes are oriented so that the lateral jogging movement imparted to the work and button holder will position the sewing holes accurately with regard to the rectilinearly reciprocating needle.

The invention will be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings in which the machine frame is constructed with the usual bed plate I, from which rises the overhanging bracket arm 2, having journalled therein a main shaft 3, to which is operatively connected therectilinear reciprocating needle bar 4, carrying the needle 5, which constitutes one member of the stitch forming mechanism.

Slidingly mounted upon the bed plate is a slide bar 6, constituting a carrier for the work holding parts. It will be understood that the usual arrangement is made for operation of the slide bar by a stud pin which is adjustably secured by suitable means to a crank arm of a short rockshaft journalled in a suitable bearing in the bracket, rising from the bed plate and then carried to a roller stud entering a cam grooved in -wise movement to the slide bar. The slide bar 6 is fitted with clamping means for the clamp 3 arm I, whose end extends in the direction of the needle and is apertured by a longitudinal slot to receive the shanks of the screws 8 tapped into the clamp arm.

The clamp arm carries the post 9, whose cross bar I is arranged to be engaged by the-usually provided rearwardly extending lbracket .arm Ll, mounted upon the lifting bar [2 slidably mounted within the head of the bracket arm 2, previously mentioned. The lifting bar I2, at its upper end, is provided with a collar I3. arranged to M01 ated by the usual clamp operating rock lever, fulcrumed upon the bracket arm 2, to be operated by the usual foot treadle phain pull before and after the button sewing operation. The clamp arm I is arranged to have attached to it the bracket [4, and held thereto bythe screws .8 at one end l5. An extension arm 16 carries at approximately 45 thereto, a work feed :chute H by the fastening screws 18, threadedly engaging "the chute and clamping the same to the branch The chute ilfl constitutes 3a plurality of articulated segments i9, 20, 2|. The segment. leads :to a hopper whi h is piyotaily mounted on the shaft 23 carried by the vertical arm :24, whose base :25 :is mounted ior swivelling movement on the standard 26 of the base 21, arranged to be .attached to the table top of the sewing machine. Motor driven means 28 through the :belt 2% drive a sorting mechanism within the hopper, to direct a button edgewisely oriented, adjacent the port 30, which is aligned with the end 3-! of the chute segment 21 to deliver to :the chute segment 2! edgewisely arranged buttons.

Each of the segments l8, 2-9 and 2.1 is grooved with slots 32, comprising a rectangular section enclosing the buttons to be employed. The slotted button receiving portions of each of the segments are aligned and connected by the articulated joint 33a, flexibly stiffened by :a flexible shim 33., employing cover plates 34, 34, defining a slot 35 running longitudinally of the chute assembly through which the buttons B may be visible, and ior purposes which will appear more clearly as this description proceeds.

The details .of the motorized hopper and chute are not herein claimed, it being understood how-- ever that the lowermost segment 49 of the chute being carried by the "bracket 1|! yibratesthe hopp uring he l ing movement imparted to the chute by the clamp arm 3| without any-calculated effort to effect a dampening action by reason of the articulated joint 131a and theswivel-ling action about the standard 2.6.

The lowermost segment 18 of the chute terminates in a horizontally directed elbow portion 36, to clamp the fabric against the work suppor i s plate mounted on the slide bar 6 and coop .ating therewith to give the fabric and the button and work holder the log ing action with relation to the needle.

The slot 32 adjacent the end 31 or elbow portion 36 is formed with .a cutout 38, to afford clearance for the needle and the mouth '39 is to .the side walls defining the mouth 39 and the sidewalls defining the slot :82 met-mg in Said mouth .39.

The edges 43 and 44 of the cover plates 4| and 34, defining the slot 42, are spaced from each other to form a guide diametrically across a button which may be positioned in the slot 32, and centrally thereof, and for a width substantially corresponding to the sewing apertures thereof. .For a two .hole button 2B illustrated, .it will be observed that the button apertures will be aligned in the slot 42. The cover plates 40, 4|, which merge adjacent the mouth 39, have flared edges .45 :and 46,, to expose the sewing holes so that a connecting webbing is aligned with and in parallelism with the longitudinal axis of the clamp 51, to effect a :sewing operation from apertures c to b by'the jogging motion of the work holding clamp'fora two-hole button. A four-hole button .-is pictured y .the dotted lines a and d in which event the feeder to be used with such buttons is turned on a bracket such as 14 clockwise at an angle to sew from a tob and from c to d by two separate series of sewing motions, the apertures c and 1b :being aligned as in the case of the two hole button.

it will .be understood that the attachment provides for the retention of the position of the button in accordance with :the design of the machine either for jogging a two-hole or a fourhole button, the feed of the :button being-aligned in the direction of the :centers of a two-hole button or with the centers-of the diagonally positioned sewing holes where a four-hole button is to be sewn.

The ;slot 42 previously defined extends axially along the chute to a -point corresponding to the Position of the aperture .0 of the :second button rearwardly from the mouth 39 and then diverges at the portion 41 in a non-central position, to define a camming edge leading from the edge 48 .to the edge 44. The edge 48 extends non-axially longitudinallyrof the segment [9 and is positioned with relation to :the underlying wall 49 of the slot .32, to correspond to the distance from the perimeter :of a button to the edge of the flare of the sewing holes,

A cover strip A-il has its edge 43 in close proximity .to the offset edge 58 which non-axially diverts adjacent the edge 5! which overlaps and covers the slot 32 over the buttons therein con :tained so that the leading end of the slot 35 adjacent the third button 52 is in a non-axial position for a distance a passed-dead center relation to the button, for purposes which will appear hereafter.

A separate strip :53 :of spring metal may be emplayed to define an inwardly directed latching finger 54,, which will permit buttons, when forcefully projected, to pass the finger 54 downwardly but will abut the edge of the second button to hreversibly hold it from sliding.

It will be observed that the slot defined by the edges 48, ii and 41, so outline :a slot which has a leading edge in :a passed-dead center position with regard to apertures in the button, with a trailing slot defined by the edges 43 and 44 which is axially located, and intermediate portions which extend from an axial to a non-axial position. The slots just defined encompass a locus of points which may be assumed at the apertures from a passed-dead center position at the leading edge to a dead center position at the trailing edge.

With a chute just described, there is then provided a feeder carriage 55 comprising spaced plates .56 and 51 joined by cross bars 58 and :triction reduction rollers 59 engaging the sides :and

- edges 60 of the chute. plates 55 and 51 support the cross pin 6|. Piv- The front portions of the otally mounted on the cross pin 6| are lever 62 and 63. Lever 62 has a bearing aperture 64 to permit rocking as well as pivotal movement of the lever 62 on the cross pin 6|.

Lever 62 has its terminal end 65 provided with a single feeler pin 66 which extends into the slot defined by the edges 43, 44, 48, 4? and 5E), and through a button located in the slot as previously described. The shank of the feeler pin, adjacent the section which may engage the edges, just described, is cylindrical. The end, however, is pointed or formed with a round nose for purposes which will appear hereafter. The opposed end 61 of the lever 62 is connected to an extension 68, to which a coiled spring 69 is anchored normally to urge the opposed end of the feeler pin into contact with the surface of the chute adjacent the elbow portion. The opposite end of the spring 59 is affixed to a relatively fixed portion of the chute or the sewing machine head in order to urge the feeler finger resiliently into the engaging position previously described.

The lever 62 is likewise limited in its tilting 'movement by the cross strip iii integral therewith. A spring II mounted on the member SI provides the resilient, relatively movable action between the levers s2 and 63, by extending its end 12 into engagement with the lever 95 and its opposite end 12a. anchored to the plate 56.

A set screw I3 serves to limit the lateral tiltable movement of the feeler pin lever 62 in the movement of the feeler end against the side edges 41 of the slot, as willmore clearly appear hereafter.

The feeder lever 53 has an anchoring portion '54 for a spring I5, likewise tending to urge the lever to tilt the end 'It into engagement with the chute branch 36, to direct the pair of claw pins IT in the slot defined by the edge 43, 44. The pins TI, 11 are spaced apart for a distance corresponding substantially to the sewing holes, such as c, b. The overhanging edge adjacent the feeder lever end I6 limits the ability of the claw to ride on the surface of the cove-r plates 34, 34, adjacent the slot 42.

The carriage 55, previously described may have supported on the cross rod 5| a trip lever 95, separate and apart from the feed lever 53. lever 62 has a rounded bearing aperture 54 which may provide pivotal as well as rocking movement on the cross rod 6!. A spacer sleeve 96 supports the coiled spring I! previously described.

The feeder lever 63 is provided with a plurality.

of guide slots 97 which span pins 8 carried by the tripping lever 95 and the sleeve 99. v

The tripping lever 95, to the opposite end. of the ivot pin 5!, is provided with a laterally directed flange I8 having a camming face I9 in the direction of the chute. The fiange I8 projects into the path of the guide 81! comprising an L-shaped head, the opposed end of which is affixed to the chute by the fastening elements 8|. The guide 80 is made of spring sheet metal, to yield to lateral deflection, caused by the cam I9 to snap beneath the guide 33 at the end of the stroke.

'With the construction as described, upon pressing the usual treadle which controls the presser foot against the clamping action of the clamp plate I, relative downward movement of the carriage 55 will result since the post 9 has its hook member ID engaged by the bracket arm Il mounted on the lifting bar I2. The bracket arm Feeler I I is engaged by the lever I00 whichha a forked or slotted end Ifll. The lever is pivoted on the block I82 to extend its free end I03 with its slotted portion I04 into engagement with the finger I05 on the carriage 55. Correlation of the upward movement of the post 9 with the downward movement of the carriage 55 is thereby secured in accordance with the size of the button.

In this position, the chute end 36 corresponding to a pressure foot is spaced apart from the work supporting plate, which is designed to jog along with the clamp plate I. The fabric F to which a button is to be sewn may now be positioned beneath the nose carrying the buttons. The feed of the button along the chute segments is gravitationally along the slot 32, with the carriage as more clearly illustrated in Figure 6.

The buttons may gravitate within the slide to the point where they encounter the spring detent 54, extending through the cover plate 34 on the front fac of the chute, at a position in the space between that which may be occupied by the second and third buttons. The detent 54 frictionally restrains the gravitational fall of the button .beyond the third position of buttons in the chute in an off-center position to the right of the button so as to make possible a counterclockwise rotation of the button. In this position, the operator then releases the foot treadle. It is to be observed that in the relatively upward movement of the chute and the relatively downward movement of the carriage 55, the flange I8 is beneath the overhanging latch member 80, directing the claw pins or feeder I'I into intimate contact with the chute 32 and raising the feeler pin 66 upwardly for a small distance since the downward movement of the chute brings into play the cross strip It, to be engaged by the edge I20 of the tripping lever 95, tending to tilt the aforementioned end away from the chute surface.

As the treadle is released, to release the chute assembly by means of the spring action of the clamp bar 1, the latch flange I8 slides in parallelism to the chute held beneath the guide 89, maintaining the lever 63 against tilting and coordinating the movement of the lever 52 therewith by reason of the overlap of the crosspiece ID on the edge 12. The feeler pin 66 and claw pin 'II are thereby withdrawn from the slot in the chute into which these pins extend, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 13. Continued movement of the carriage and chute relatively to each other to the point where the presser foot extended from the chute 36 bears against the work supporting plate releases the flange 19 from its engagement (as shown in dotted lines in Figure 17) with the guide 80 under the infiuence of th springs ll, and $9, to restore the end 16 and the claw pins I? within the slot defined by the edges 43 and 44, as more clearly ,illustrated in Figure 5. dropped back into the slot defined by the edges The feeler pin {it has 47 and 50, to position the feeler pin 55 adjacent the most rearward position of the rim of the button which has gravitated into abutment with the detent 54 in a position opposite to the feeler pin 66.

Upon again depressing the treadle to raise the end of the chute 3i relatively to the downward points which would be occupied by the perforations from a passed-dead center position controlled by the edge which is the leading edge in movement of the feeler pin 66. As the feeler pin scans the face of the button in its downwardly sliding and lateral floating position, the pin will drop into one of the perforations c or b, for a two hole button or a, c, b for a four hole button as shown in the illustration. The feeler pin then drops into these perforations to the limit of the end 65 hearing against the strip '35, and with the shank of the pin '65 against the edge 41 by reason of the'off-center spring action 59 against the opposed end of the feeler lever 82 to both tilt and turn feeler lever. The combined effect is to rotate the button about itself and against the friction of the detent '55 as it is positively slid downwardly into the second position from the end of the chute. The extreme position of movement of the feeler pin 55 is reached when the chute has moved upwardly relatively to the downward movement of the carriage 55, to guide the feeler pin 66 so that it carries the button into the second position from the end of the chute, as shown in Figure 14, with the button apertures c and b axially aligned in the chute in the centrally positioned slot 42. The friction of the detent 54 and the pushing action eccentrically of the button, coupled with the engagement of the feeler pin against the camming slot walls #1 or 50"o1ient the button to align the sewing hole perforations axially of the chute. A pin 63a on the lever 63 rides on the convex cam a slightly to rais the claw end until pin 53:: strikes the shoulder 65a as the limiting position of movement, as shown in Figure 6.

Another movement releasing the treadle reestablishes the position of the feeler lever 62 to that shown in Figures 12 and 13 and drops the feeder lever 63 into position where the claw pins 1'! enter the aligned perforations of the button in the second position. This has established the first button in position for positive feeding ac tion by the lever 63. The treadle is again depressed and the chute is moved upwardly relatively to the downward movement of the carriage. The feeder lever 63 then moves a button to the extreme position of the chute. The claw pin 11 also engages the sides of the cover plates, accurately retaining the button in position. The movement forces the button into the slot 39 where the more constricted passage is found and the button is frictionally gripped by cover plate sections Ml and t! at this point.

Upon again releasing the treadle, to drop the chute end 35, the button is exposed in the slot 39 beneath the flared edges 45 and 46 and the chute has been brought into fabric clamping po sition. Alignment of the sewing holes with the point of entry of the needle is assured and the sewing mechanism is then brought into play by the appropriate control, to jog the button holder and work to perform the button sewing cycle of the sewing machine. When the machine has come to rest at the end of the sewing cycle, the treadle is again depressed, to raise the chute relatively to the downward movement of the carriage 55. The feeder lever 53, during the sewing operation, is in the position shown more clearly in Figures 5, 12 and 13 as the treadle action raises the chute again. The feeder claw pins 11 push the button in the second position against the button which has been sewn, to eject the sewn button and to replace it with the button in the second position as shown in Figure 8 6 and in dotted-line in Figure 13L Releasing the treadle to drop the chute against the spring tension of the clamp "bar 1 completes the cycle in preparation for the next sewing operation.

In the use of the button feeding mechanism, I find it desirable to employ a button which has several of the following characteristics, more specifically illustrated in Figure 1-6, wherein the button 89 is shown within an outlining portion corresponding to the slot 32, in magnified form. It is desirable that a face 90 of the button include a cavity disposed from the rim 9-] inwardly spaced from the periphery of the button. It is desirable also that the thread receiving perforations be chamfered, -for reasons which will appear herein, and that the face of the cavity be smooth. It is also desirable to form the opposed face 92 of the button symmetrical with the face 90, both with regard to the rim 9-3 as well as the cavity 94.

A button having at least one face formed with a thread receiving cavity of smooth contour, with the rim forming the highest point adjacent the overhanging plates 34 contributes to a more successful movement of the feeler pin 66 to drop the feeler pin into a thread aperture, and to orient the button from a passed-dead center position at the leading edge movement of the feeler pin into an aperture which orients the -butt-on from an eccentric position to an axial position within the slot 42. The frictional restraint of the detent 54 in the diametrically opposite position further assures a turning movement.

The limit of the contact of the rim 93 against the back plate l-9 reduces the friction of the button with respect to the back face of the chute, to facilitate the orienting action as the feeler pin 56 urges the button from the third position to the second position in the chute.

I consider the form and contour of the button on one or both faces as contributing to the operation of the feeler pin in orienting the button as His slid from the third position where the perforations may be disaligned, to the second position where perforations are properly oriented and aligned.

With a change in contour of the button, such as in using a flatter faced button, greater accuracy of guidance of the feeler pin within the locus of points occupied by a button may be required, and I may point the feeler pin 66 to a finer condition as contrasted with a round nose action in order that it may scan the button within a locus of points occupied by the thread apertures in a passed-dead center position from the leading edge of the button in the chute to the trailing edge where the button is dragged centrally.

Accordingly, the combination of a sewing hole button in which the feeder slot is in a nonaxial position to begin engagement in passeddead center position while stabilizing the button within the chute and the dragging action are contributing factors to the successful orientation and feeding of my device.

It will also be observed that the bracket connection of the chute to the work clamp during the joggling action to move the button and work in relation to the reciprocating needle provides a vibratory action which is transmitted through the articulated chute segments and to thehopper, to furnish an even and unobstructed flow of the buttons from the hopper down the chute to the orienting end of the chute, so that relatively close tolerances between the button and the slot guiding thesame may be retained, without obstruction of the flow of buttons.

While normal manual treadle operation may be resorted to, to actuate the lifting bar I2 through the rocking lever 14b on the bracket Ha, I prefer to actuate the installation to use a single treadle I06 to start the cycle of movement for sewing a button and to put the sewing machine into operation for each cycle involvinga-the positioning of the fabric beneath the elbow portions 36 comprising the presser foot;

b-the release of the clamp;

c--the sewing cycle with the button in position;

idthe raising of the clamp and the ejection of the sewn button for an uninterrupted throw which will move the feeder lever with the button it carries to the preferred sewing position.

To forestall an involuntary incomplete movement of the treadle and to assure an impelling or full throw of the rocking lever Ha, I attach to the end I01 of the lever I4a an extension arm I08. The normal hook I09 for manual operation need not be removed and the usual chain with which this hook is employed is disconnected.

The arm I06 has a pull pin H connected by the turnbuckle III to the armature H2 of a solenoid H3. The solenoid is supported on a cross plate H4 and is connected to a source of power by the manual switch II5. A standard H6 supports at its end H1 the tension spring H8. The opposite end of the tension spring is connected with a pin H9 on the lever I08. The extreme end I of the lever I08 is connected to the rod I2I which has its piston head I22 extending into the dash pot cylinder I23. The base I24 of the dash pot cylinder is supported on the plate H4 by the fastening screw I25. The base I24 is formed with cross borings I26 and I21. The boring I21, at the end I28, is open to the atmosphere. The boring I26 leads to the interior of the cylinder.

Extending into the boring I21 in a position opposite to the opening I28 there is provided a screw valve I29 whose head I30 may be used to drive the end I3I into the path of the boring I26 adjustably to open the same. A lock nut I32 serves to hold the screw valve I29 in adjusted position.

With this assembly, on closing of the switch H5 the solenoid H3 is activated, there being a microswitch I33 mounted on the bracket I33a, maintaining the circuit closed at the contact portion I34. A switch plunger I35 bears against the lever I36 to be held in the closed circuit position. The lever I36 is connected to the pull rod I31 to the crank arm I38 on the shaft I39 for actuation through the lever I40 by the pull rod I4I connected with the treadle I06. The lever; I36 has an extension cam operating the belt transfer I43 to position the belt I44 from the idler pulley I45 to the power pulley I46. The belt I44 is driven by the drive pulley I41 on the motor I48.

Upon'the manual operation of the switch II5 to the closed position, the solenoid H3 will be cross shaft I5I.

22, when filled with buttons, will cause a flow of buttons along the chute I1, as more clearly ap- 1 parent from an inspection of Figure 13. As the end of the sewing cycle of the button sewing machine, with its usual provision for the number of stitches, the belt transfer is returned to its normal position, to bring the lever I36 into engagement with the microswitch plunger I35 to.

close the solenoid circuit and pull the armature H2 into the solenoid cavity with an impelled or 7 full throw movement. The raising of the presser foot and button feed I? accomplishes the double action of orienting the button with its sewing holes into proper alignment by the feeler pin 66 and ejects the sewn button by means of ejecting lever pin 11 acting on the second-in-line button.

The presser foot I1 being held in the open position may now have inserted there-beneath the fabric F for sewing a button on a desired location. When this has been determined by the operator, the treadle I06 is depressed, to begin a new cycle of operation.

The levers carrying the pins 66 and 11, respectively, are then retracted clear of the slots in the chute containing the buttons, to return the feeler pin 66 in the leading position just back of the #3 button, and to position the claw pins 11 in the sewing holes of the button in the #2 position.

Operation of the treadle is effected without faof the feeder claw with its button'to the properly oriented'position of the sewing holes.

While I have shown and described a full throw operation of the button clamp by an electrically actuated impeller solenoid, I may substantially effect the same throwing movement manually.

For this purpose I have illustrated in Figur -15 an exemplification of such embodiment wherein I the lever I01 has its hook I09 connected by a pull rod I 40 to the tripping lever I50 mounted on the The shaft I5I has a cross arm I52. A pin I53 is subjected to the pushing force of the link I54 transmitted to it by the swinging treadle arm I55 suspended from the shaft I56 on the brackets I51.on which the shaft I5I is mounted for rotation.

- The pin I53 is connected by the cable I58 to the bell crank lever I50 whose free end I60 actuates the chain I6I for operating the belt transfer I lever I62 as in the prior embodiment. The treadle lever I55 has a foot support pedal on which the I of the link I54, pulling the lever I01 to raise the activated and draw thearmature H2 into the I01 and then applies tension to the cable I56, to

draw down the chain I6I and move the belt from the idler position to the operating position.

The swinging treadle serves to support the weight of the operators foot, eliminating fatigue,

"13 comprising, in combination, a chute having cover plates defining a slot, a portion of which slot merges from an off-center position with respect to a button in said chute to a central position of said chute, a carriage slidable on said chute, including a pivotal lever having a rocking lateral movement, one end of which includes a feeler pin slidable in said slot, the other end of which has means connected therewith and which includes actuating means alternatively to hold said feeler finger in said off-center slot and center portion thereof during shifting and orientation of the button in one direction, and including tripping means to release said last end of said lever to permit said actuating means to withdraw said feeler finger from said slot in reverse direction whereby buttons are oriented and fed in said chute.

12. A button feeding device for feeding sewing hole buttons to a button sewing machine comprising, in combination, a chute having cover plates defining a slot, a portion of which merges from an off-center position with respect toa button in said chute to a central position of said chute, a carriage slidable on said chute including a pivotal lever having a rocking lateral movement, one end of which includes a feeler pin slidable in said slot, the other end of which has means connected therewith and which includes actuating means alternatively to hold said feeler finger in said off-center slot and center portion thereof during shifting and orientation of the button in one direction, and including tripping means to release said last end of said lever to permit said actuating meansto withdraw said feeler finger from said slot in reverse direction whereby buttons are oriented and fed in said chute, and a feeder lever having feeder pins holding said button oriented in shifting the same in said chute to the afiixing position and abutting a so previously positioned button to eject the same.

13. A button feeder for feeding edgewisely arranged sewing hole buttons in an oriented posibuton and detent means to restrain the button diametrically opposite to said feeler finger where-.

by shifting of the button by means of said feeler lever will shift and orient the button in the chute. I 14. A button feeder for feeding edgewisely arranged sewing hole buttons in an oriented position to a button work holder comprising, in combination, a chute having a channel, cover, plates defining a slot, a portion of which is directed in a passed-dead center position of the button and merges into a slot axially of said channel, a feeler lever having a feeler pin which may enter a. sewing hole perforation from a passed-dead center side with relation to the button to a central position of the chute with relation to the.

15. In an assembly buttons to a button afiixing machine, the combination which includes a button chute for feeding buttons edgewisely in said chute, said chute having cover plates having edges defining a slot non-centrally in a leading edge of the direction of feed of the button merging into a central portion in the trailing edge of the direction of feed of the button, and a, shiftable feeler finger guided in said slot, means for moving said feeler finger in said slot, said feeler finger having shiftable movement longitudinally and laterally of the chute to direct the feeler finger within a perforation of said button, and upon shifting movement, to-orient and shift the button.

16. A button feeder for edgewise feeding sewing hole buttons in an oriented position which includes a presser foot for attachment to the button work holder spring clamp, said presser foot comprising a chute having a button clamping throat, a carriage slidable on said chute including means for holding said carriage and connecting means for said chute to move said chute upwardly while moving said carriage relatively downwardly by the stroke of movement of the chute upwardly, and orienting and shifting means mounted on the carriage for orienting and shifting the buttons edgewise toward the throat of said chute.

17. A button feeder for edgewise feeding sewing hole buttons in an oriented position which includes a presser foot for attachment to the button work holder spring clamp of the button sewing machine, said presser foot comprising achute having a button clamping throat, a carriage slidable on said chute including means for holding said carriage and connecting means for said chute to move said chute upwardly while moving said carriage relatively downwardly by the stroke of movement of the chute upwardly, and a rocking lever engaging said carriage providingmotion magnifying means to shift the carriage variably with the size of the buttons with a predetermined movement of the presser foot, and orienting and shifting means mounted on the carriage for orienting and shifting the buttons edgewise toward the throat of said chute.

18. In a button sewing machine having a presser foot forming a button holder and chute means for feeding buttons from said chute to said button holder, including means for raising and lowering said presser foot connected with means for the oriented feed of said buttons to said holder by the movement of said presser foot for a predetermined distance which actuates the orienting mechanism and ejects a button from said holder, the combination therewith of presser foot lifting means, said lifting means having impelling motive power whereby a full throw movement is transmitted to the presser foot upon initiating the impelling motive power and the buttons are fed accurately by said movement and the attached button is ejected from the holder, the impelling motive power moving the presser foot from one point to the other to complete a cycle of feeding, orienting,

and lowering the presser foot without restraint as to stopping during such cycle.

19. In a button sewing machine having a presser foot forming a button holder and button feeding means to said holder, and including.

means for lifting and lowering said presser .foot for the positioning of buttons from said feeding means to said holder in sewing alignment by a predetermined movement. of: .the: .presserl foot for automatically feeding" moonwa- 115 from work holding positionto work and button releasing and ejecting position. trom said holder, the combination with the presser foot l-iiting means, of. impact means for applying impelling motive power to said lifting means whereby a full throw movement is transmitted to the press.- er foot and the attached button is elected zirom the holder, the impelling motive power moving the presser foot from one point to the other to complete a cycle of feeding, orienting: and lowering the presser foot without restraint as to stopping during such cycle;

20. In a button sewing machine having a press er foot forming a button. holder and button feeding means to said holder and? including means for lifting and. lowering said presser foot for the positioning of buttons from said feeding means to said. holder in sewing alignment by a predetermined movement of the presser foot from work holding position to work and button releasing and ejecting position from. said holder, the combination with the presser foot lifting means, of impact means for applying impelling motive power to said lifting means whereby a full throw movement is transmitted to the presser' foot comprising. a solenoid impelled. armature having a linkage connection tosaid liftingmeans. for the presser foot and theattached button is ejected from the holder, the solenoid: impelled armature: providing impell-ing movement tolift; the presser foot from the work clamping position to the-button ejecting position to complete the cycle of feeding, without restraint as. to stopping during; such cycle.

21. Inabutton sewing, machine having a pressor foot forming. a button holder and button feeding means to. said holder and including means for raising-and loweringsaid presser foot for the positioning of. buttons from feeding means to said. holder in. sewing alignment, the combination with the presser foot lifting means, of impact means: for applying motive power to said lifting, means whereby a full throw movement is transmitted to. the presserfoot. comprising. a. solenoid impelled armature having. a linkage connection. to said means for raising the presser foot and. including dash pot dampening. means to restrainedly' control the impelling movement ofv the solenoid impelled. armature.

22.. In a buttonsewing machineihaving a presser: foot forming. a button holder, chute. means. for feeding buttons thereto from a bulk. supply, the combination including. means for raising and lowering the-.presser foot, feed. means connected with said means. for raising the press.- er' foot. for positioning the. button to said presser foot from. said. chute in oriented position and. a single treadle. controlled impel-ling motive power having linkage connected to. said. presser foot for lifting. said presser foot for a full: throw movement of the button, said tread-1e swinging. in. a horizontal plane, with. magnified movement to provide impelling motive power moving the presser foot from work clamping. position to button: ejecting. position from the holder to: corm.

plate a cycle of. feeding. orienting andejection; of a. button, without restraint as to: stopping. during such cycle.

23.. In a button sewing. machine having a presser foot comprising a. button holder,. the combination comprising button feeding means, button. orienting means operable by a movement of the presser foot from. a.- work clamping. to a work. releasing position to a. button. from; said orienting means to 1 saidbutton holder and; .in-.

eluding. means toeject buttons in the attaching position, and presser; foot lifting means comprising impelling motive: power wherebyfull.

orienting and ejection of the button, without restraint as to stopping during suchcycle.

24. In a button sewing machine having apressor foot comprising a button holder, the combination comprising button feeding means, button orienting means operable by a movement of the presser foottrom a work clamping to a work releasing position to shift a button from. said. orienting means to said button holder and including means to eject buttons in the attaching position, and presser. foot lifting means comprising. impelling motive power whereby full throw movement is transmitted. to the presser foot com prising a single control treadle mounted on a swinging support, said lifting means also transmitting tull throw movement to the button feed.- ing means to eject the button which has. beenattached to the work from the holder, the impellingmotive power moving the presser: foot. fromthe work clamping position to the button. ejecting position to complete a cycle of feeding, orienting and ejection of the button withoutrestraintas to stopping duringsuch cycle.

25; In a button sewing machine having a press er foot comprising a button holder, the combination comprising. button feeding means, button. orienting means operable by a movement. of. the presser foot from a. Work clamping to a work releasing position to shift a. button. from said orienting means to said button holder. and in.- cludingmeans to eject buttons in the attaching position, and presser' foot liiiting meanscomprising impelling motive power whereby full throw movement is transmitted to the pres-sex: foot including a single. control, actuating a solenoid having an armature connected. to said presser foot lifting means and tothe button feeding. means to eject the button which has been attached. from the holder, the impelling, motive power moving the presser foot from work clamping position to the buttonejecting, positionto complete a cycle of feeding, orienting and ejection. of the button, without restraint as to stopping during such cycle.

26... In a button sewing machinehaving a pr.ess-- er foot comprising a button holder, the. combination comprising. button feeding means, button orienting means. operable by a movement of the presser foot from a work clamping to a.- work releasing position. and. presser foot lifting. means:

' comprising impelling motive power whereby full.

throw movement is transmitted to the presserfoot including a single control, actuating a; sole noid having an armature connected to said. press--- er foot. lifting; means. and dampening means comprising an: air dash pot restrammg. the. action of said moving armature.

27; Ina sewing machine-for. buttons or the a presser foot and. a work holder, including manually controlled means: for raising. and lowering said presser foot for timed feeding. of the workholder by said manual means,. the: combination therewith. of presser foot litting. means. comprising a solenoid having impellingz motive: power and; connected to: said; pressen foot lifting means whereby a full. throw movement. is

transmitted to the presser foot and dash pot dampening means connected with the armature of said solenoid for restraining the impelling movement of the armature of said solenoid, the impelling motive power transmitted to the presser foot moving the same from one point to the other to complete a cycle of raising, lowering and feeding of the buttons without restraint as to stopping during such cycle.

28. In the process of feeding sewing hole buttons to a button affixing machine, the steps of orienting the button perforation predeterminedly which includes the steps of shifting the button bodily against friction applied adjacent its periphery from a passed-dead center engaging position to the oriented dead center engaging position by dragging the button during shifting about one perforation as a pivotal point in relation to said peripheral friction, to shift the button bodily to a predetermined oriented position.

29. In the process of orienting sewing hole buttons in a chute for feeding the same to a button afiixing mechanism, the steps which include scanning a face of the button with a button feeler from a passed-dead center position of the 18 locus of points of the button apertures and dragging the button by one aperture in shifting the position of the button while applying friction resistance to the peripheral edge of the button substantially diametrically opposite to the side scanned.

30. In the process of feeding sewing hole buttons to a button affixing machine with the sewing holes oriented in a predetermined position, the steps which include positioning the buttons to rest on a surface, sliding the buttons along said surface along a predetermined path by engaging a wall of a hole in an eccentric position of the button on one face thereof'while exerting friction substantially diametrically opposite to said position and then dragging the button on. said'surface along a line axially aligned with the center of the button.

WILLIAM A. TROLL.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,383,438 Stein July 5, 1921 1,903,269 Ross et a1. Mar. 28, 1933 

